THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Fifteen months ago this week, I
announced the surge. And this week, General Petraeus and Ambassador
Crocker gave Congress a detailed report on the results.

Since the surge began, American and Iraqi forces have made
significant progress. While there's more to be done, sectarian
violence, civilian deaths, and military deaths are down. Improvements
in security have helped clear the way for political and economic
progress. The Iraqi government has passed a budget and three major
"benchmark" laws. And many economic indicators are now pointed in the
right direction.

Serious and complex challenges remain in Iraq. Yet with the surge,
a major strategic shift has occurred. Fifteen months ago, extremists
were sowing sectarian violence; today, many mainstream Sunni and Shia
are actively confronting the extremists. Fifteen months ago, al Qaeda
was using bases in Iraq to kill our troops and terrorize Iraqis; today,
we have put al Qaeda on the defensive in Iraq, and now we are working to
deliver a crippling blow. Fifteen months ago, Americans were worried
about the prospect of failure in Iraq; today, thanks to the surge, we've
revived the prospect of success in Iraq.

Archives

FAQ

This week, General Petraeus reported that security conditions have
improved enough to withdraw all five surge brigades. By July 31, the
number of U.S. combat brigades in Iraq will be down 25 percent from the
year before. Beyond that, General Petraeus says he will need time to
assess how this reduced American presence will affect conditions on the
ground before making recommendations on further reductions. I've told
him he'll have time he needs to make his assessment.

Our job in the period ahead is to stand with the Iraqi government
as it makes the transition to responsibility for its own security and
its own destiny. So what would this transition look like? On the
security front, we will stay on the offense, continue to support the
Iraqi security forces, continue to transfer security responsibilities to
them, and move over time into an overwatch role.

On the economic front, Iraq's economy is growing. Iraq is assuming
responsibility for almost all the funding of large-scale reconstruction
projects, and our share of security costs is dropping as well. On the
political front, Iraq is planning to hold elections that will provide a
way for Iraqis to settle disputes through the political process instead
of through violence.

Our efforts are aimed at a clear goal: a free Iraq that can protect its
people, support itself economically, and take charge of its own
political affairs. And no one wants to achieve that goal more than the
Iraqis themselves.

The turnaround that our men and women in uniform have made possible
in Iraq is a brilliant achievement. And we expect that, as conditions
on the ground continue to improve, they will permit us to continue the
policy of return on success.

I'm confident in our success because I know the valor of the young
Americans who defend us. This week, I commemorated the sacrifice of
Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who gave his life in Iraq, and became the
fourth Medal of Honor recipient in the war on terror. On September 29,
2006, Mike and two teammates had taken a position on a rooftop when an
insurgent grenade landed on the roof. Mike threw himself onto the
grenade. One of the survivors put it this way: "Mikey looked death in
the face that day and said, 'You cannot take my brothers. I will go in
their stead.'"

It is heroism like Michael Monsoor's that pays the cost of human
freedom. Our prayers remain with Michael's family and with all the men
and women who continue his noble fight. We look forward to the day when
they return home in victory.